Funeral Sermon for Elizabeth Foxcroft, Sermon

Funeral Sermon for Elizabeth Foxcroft · Sermon

p. 1A SERMON occaſion'd by the DEATH of Mrs. Elizabeth Foxcroft.

PSALM XXXV. 14.

— I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his Mother.

HAVING been invited, to take the Opportunity of my being here this Day, to preach unto You, I thought it wou'd not be improper to entertain you with ſome ſeaſonable Meditations, which I have lately had on this Text, upon the moſt affecting Occaſion that has ever occurr'd to Me in the few Years I have liv'd.

DIVINE PROVIDENCE hath ſeen meet within a little while to take away by Death ‖‖Mrs. Brattle, Mrs. Leverett, Mrs. Hutchinſon, &c.ſeveral Mothers in Iſrael, (who have ſome of their Relations in this Place) Devout & Honourable Women, whoſe Memory is bleſſed; And we cannot but be ſenſibly touch'd with the repeated Stroke in the Removal of Another the laſt Week, that was alſo valuable to all and nearly related to Many of us here p. 2preſent. Truly the Blow is heavy, and the Breach wide. And to be affected with ſo ſolemn a Providence, as the Departure of Perſons of Name and Worth, of Piety and Serviceableneſs, Is what every common Neighbour is under civil and chriſtian Obligations to. This is what the ſpecial Friends and Acquaintants of the Deceaſed, who have a nearer Concern in the Loſs, are more peculiarly oblig'd to. — But the Relatives are under natural and the ſtrongeſt Bonds to Mourn the Death of Pious and Uſeful Perſons ——. That I might more particularly ſuit my Diſcourſe to the Caſe of Relatives in Mourning; eſpecially of Children for the Loſs of a gracious Mother, which is the melancholy Caſe of not a Few in this Audience, (and may be ſo of Others e're long) I have therefore choſen the Words before Us for the Subject of our preſent Conſideration; — I bowed down heavily, as One that mourneth for his Mother.

THE Perſon here ſpeaking is holy David, the Royal Pſalmiſt of Iſrael. He makes a Proteſtation of his cordial Love towards and tender Sympathy with his Enemies and Perſecutors under their Afflictions. They rejoyced indeed in his Adverſity: but he mourned in their's. If they were viſited with Sickneſs, he Sympathized with them, and carry'd it towards them with the greateſt Compaſſion and the kindeſt Uſage: If they were remov'd by Death, He Mourned for them, bowing down his head in great heavineſs, and condoling the Loſs, as tho' there had been an intimate Friendſhip or near Relation between them: Yea, his Grief at their Death did bear ſome Proportion and Similitude to the Sorrow of dutiful Children, bereaved of a dear p. 3and deſirable Mother; ſuch an One as David's own was, and whom perhaps he may now refer to more immediately. At their Death, he took on, as for the Loſs of his own Mother, a gracious & tender Mother. This diſcovers the Pſalmiſt to be one of an excellent Spirit, & a truly extraordinary Compaſſion; a Man made up of Pity and Benevolence, and acted by the ſuperior Principles of Religion. He has ſet us an Example of uncommon Humanity, and Charity; which challenges Conſideration and Imitation. But I ſhall not inſiſt here. — I deſign to take Notice only of the Alluſion or incidental Hint in our Text,— of One's Mourning for his Mother,—which intimates the Lawfulneſs, and Decency, yea and Duty of lamenting the Death of near Relations, and particularly of a dear and good Mother.

AND this is the Point of Doctrine now (as GOD ſhall help) to be diſcourſed upon: IT is Lawful, yea Proper, and a Duty to m… the Death if near Relations, and particula… of a tender and religious Mother.

THE Deceaſe of ſuch is a juſt Matter and Motive of Lamentation. Our neareſt & deareſt Relatives muſt die and go to the Houſe appointed for all living. Father & Mother muſt be ſeparated from us by Their or Our Death. The ſtrongeſt Ties of Nature or Affection can't continue our Union together in this World, when Death comes to diſſolve the ſame. And the Parting with lov'd Relations, is a proper Occaſion of Grief. Their Death is a very Melancholy Thing, and to be laid to Heart. The Removal of a tender Parent, of a delightful Child, of a loving p. 4Brother or Siſter, or any affectionate and beloved Relative whatſoever, is a Mournful Diſpenſation, and to be ſeriouſly reſented and ſuitably improved. But I ſhall confine my ſelf to ſpeak particularly of the Death of a pious & dear Mother. The Death of ſuch an One calls for peculiar Accents of Grief. This is a Lamentation, & ſhall be for a Lamentation.

HERE we may conſider briefly ſome of the Grounds & Reaſons, that warrant & require Children's Mourning on ſuch an Occaſion▪ The following Particulars may ſuffice.

I. THE Death of a tender and gracious Mother infers the Loſs of a great & comprehenſive Bleſſing; and therefore is a deplorable Evil. The proper Object of Grief is a preſent afflictive Evil, whether …ivative or Poſitive. The Want or Loſs of Good … Negative Evil; and calls for our Mournful Re…ments. Hence the Bereavement of a dear and …cious Mother, (whom to enjoy is one of the chief Felicities of this lower World,) muſt needs be accounted a moſt proper Subject of deep Lamentation.

A wiſe and good Mother is a very valuable Bleſſing. Her Uſefulneſs is extenſive, Her Opportunities of doing Good conſiderable, and her Life is therefore pretious.

OUR wiſe and virtuous Mothers are no little Ornaments to the Places where they dwell; Theſe Daughters of Zion are none of the leaſt of Zion's Glories, They are ſome of the Excellent in the Earth▪ And when Death tranſlates theſe ſhining Lights, it caſts a gloomy Shade on the Town, and Family; it thins the Glory, and caſts down the Beauty of Iſrael.

p. 5AGAIN, Our Pious Mothers are a Defenſe (as well as Honour) to the reſpective Places of their abode: And the Town and Family, from which they are remov'd, are weaken'd by their Fall, in proportion to the Degree of their Piety, Wiſdom, and Influence. Devout Women are many times (in conjunction with others) inſtrumental to the Protection of a Family or People from deſolating Judgments. They contribute to the Safety of a Houſe or Place, ſometimes by their prudent Counſels, ſometimes by their importunate Prayers; yea ſometimes by their very Preſence: The Preſence of theſe holy, humble Ones, to whom the gracious GOD hath a ſpecial Reſpect, is often a Remora to the Execution of Divine Threatnings on Others, who are ripe for the Indignation of the LORD. For their Sakes GOD doth many times mercifully ſuſpend deſerved Judgments, or moderate His Judicial Diſpenſations. —And therefore the Departure of theſe pious, praying Perſons ſhou'd affect and grieve the Living. The taking away of ſuch is as a pulling down the Pillars of an Houſe, or a plucking up the Stakes out of an Hedge. When ſuch die, ſo much of the Strength fails, and of the Defenſe is gone.

FURTHER, They are more Poſitive and Active Bleſſings; and are not only the Means of keeping out hurtful Evils, but alſo of bringing in many real and deſirable Benefits. They are many ways uſeful by their Gifts and Graces, by their Prayers, their Example, their Advices, Reproofs, Inſtructions, &c. The whole Houſe fares the better for the wiſe and good Mother, in all it's Intereſts. The Health▪ the Eſtate, Reputation, good Order, p. 6Virtue and Religion of the Family, and Place, are all greatly ſubſerved by Her. — When therefore our gracious Mothers die, the Town and Family, (which have enjoy'd their Preſence) are ſo much Impoveriſh'd, and the common Treaſure ſunk. So much of the principal ſtock is drawn out of the Bank. In that Houſe, where the godly Mother ceaſes, The Meaſure of Gifts and Graces, and the Number of Prayers & Services are leſſend; which is as the letting out of ſo much vital Blood and Spirits, whereupon Sickneſs and Weakneſs of the Body enſues.

SURELY then we ought to lament the Death of our honoured and pious Mothers with a very peculiar Sorrow. We ought to bewail it on the Account of the general Loſs, which the whole Family and Town ſuſtains.

AND We ſhou'd every One bewail his own Perſonal Loſs therein. We ſhou'd ſadly lay to heart our own particular Concern in the common Bereavement. We [the Children] are ſome of the greateſt Loſers. When our pious and wiſe and careful Mothers are taken away, Who can ſay how many Bleſſings we are depriv'd of by this one awful Blow? It infers a mighty Change, a dreadful Breach on our Comforts, and often a ſad Increaſe of our Cares. Tho' when we enjoy'd them, we did not ſufficiently value and improve them; yet when they are gone, we ſoon find a lamentable Miſs of them. What a Melancholy Vacancy does their Removal make? When they die, We loſe the Sight of them, which was ſo much the Deſire of our Eyes. We loſe their Wiſdom, Abilities & Graces, which render'd them ſuch Delights and Helps unto us. p. 7We loſe their profitable Converſation, & can no more take ſweet Counſel together with them. We want their wiſe Advices, their faithful Admonitions, their holy Examples, their devout Prayers, and Labours of Love. We can no more enjoy any kind Aſſiſtences from them of any ſort. Death puts a Period to all their good Offices. Their works follow them,— in this ſenſe.

A great and ſore Loſs then do the Poſterity of gracious Women receive in their Death. And this Reflection beſpeaks a very ſenſible Grief on ſo ſad an Occaſion.

II. THE Death of an uſeful gracious Mother is commonly a Rebuke on her Surviving Poſterity for their Sin. Conſider'd as a Natural, and much more as a Penal Evil, this Loſs is greatly to be lamented. There is many times much of the Wrath of GOD mixed with this Affliction: And the Conſideration of this may well put an Edge on our Reſentments & add Weight to our Grief. Such a Bereavement is often a ſtroke of Vindictive Juſtice. The Sin of the Children ſometimes inflames the Wrath of GOD, and procures the Death of their Mother. They are vile and wicked, and not worthy of Her; or are full of guilty Provocations with reference unto her. If we over-rate, and over-love our valuable Parents, if we place all our Dependence on and Delight in them; if we make the Enjoyment of them the great Solace of our Lives, and build our Hopes of future Comfort too much on their Continuance, and are loth to leave them at the Divine Diſpoſe: If we idolize them, and give 'em that Seat in our Hearts, which p. 8only belongs to GOD our ſovereign Ruler and only ſufficient Portion, and do not deſire & rejoyce in his Preſence and Favour as we ought to do; This may juſtly provoke Him to ſeparate from us the beloved Object. GOD is jealous of His own Rights, He will not admit any Rival or divide His Glory with another: If He obſerves Parent or Child lie too near our Hearts, and take up too much Room in our Breaſts, whereby He is ſhut out from thoſe Regards which are due unto Him, no Marvel if He make a Breach, to teſtify His Diſpleaſure —. And on the other hand, if a gracious Parent be neglected, undervalued, and ſet at nought, This is greatly provoking to GOD; and no Wonder, if He ſo reſent the Sin, as to puniſh the Guilty with a Bereavement of their deſpis'd and abuſed Privilege —. Alas! how prone are we to be baſely unthankful for our good Parents, eſpecially our pious Mothers, while they are ſpared to us? And how apt to ſlight the many Advantages that we enjoy or are capable of receiving by them? How diſobedient, or unkind, or negligent are we prone to be in our Carriage toward them? — And now, it may be for ſome ſuch Miſcarriages as theſe, that GOD is viſiting of us. He takes away our over-valu'd Parent, in Diſpleaſure at and in Teſtimony againſt our Idolatry. Or He bereaves us of the contemned Bleſſing, to puniſh our criminal Ingratitude, & Undutifulneſs: He will make us to know the worth of it by ſad Experience of the Want of it.

THUS the Death of a wiſe and good Mother is ſometimes a Puniſhment of Sin and a Fruit of revenging Wrath, in a ſpecial manner. And in this p. 9Diſpenſation indeed there is ordinarily a Mixture of holy Diſpleaſure.

AND is not this a Mournful Conſideration? Shou'd not this Thought make our Hearts bleed, and our Eyes flow with Tears of Sorrow? Verily it is our Sin, that is the Sting in every Affliction: and GOD's Wrath which is the Bitterneſs in every Cup. The Divine-Judgment is the Gall & Wormwood in our Adverſities, the great Aggravation of our Sorrows: and our Eye may well be conſumed becauſe of Grief, when GOD is chaſtening Us in His hot Diſpleaſure, Truly it well becomes the moſt unbroken and heroic Minds to melt into ſoft and tender Paſſions, to relent and ſigh under the Tokens of Divine Anger, and at the Remembrance of Sin, which pulls down the Wrath of GOD on our guilty Heads —. An awful Regard then to the Hand of Divine Juſtice in taking away a pious Mother ſhou'd influence Us to mourn ſuch a Death. The Frown & Rebuke of Providence herein ſhou'd awaken a moſt afflictive ſenſe of Her Removal.

III. GOD allow, expects, and requires, that We mourn on this Occaſion. GOD has formed our Nature ſo as that We are capable of being mov'd with different Paſſions and Affections, according to the Variety of Objects that occur, whether good or evil, preſent or abſent. And while ſome Things are ſuited to actuate our Joy; Others are fitted to agitate our Grief. Theſe latter are preſent Evils; and when they are perceived, Nature is diſpos'd to ſorrow. A mournful Senſation of Bereavements, and other Afflictions, is but agreable to the Law of our Creation, to the Tendency of our Nature, and p. 10the Dictates of right Reaſon. It agrees to our preſent Make & Frame; and is according to the primitive Deſign of the Powers of Senſe and Paſſion which are ſo deeply planted in Us: and 'tis impoſſible indeed, while in the Body, to be untouch'd with ſorrowful Impreſſions within, when oppreſſive Troubles without invade Us. No Affliction is for the preſent joyous, but grievous. However ſuppoſe it not an Impoſſibility, yet it is a culpable Irregularity. It is unreaſonable & irreligious. Our afflicting Paſſions, as well as others, were originally intended for Exerciſe; the proper ſeaſon whereof is a day of Trouble. And They were deſign'd for good Ends; which can't be attain'd without the ſeaſonable and regular exerting of Them. Reaſon then condemns a Stoical Apathy under Afflictions: and Religion doth no leſs. Chriſtianity does not command nor commend, nor tend to effect a ſtupid Inſenſibleneſs under the Hand of GOD. Piety is not intended for the Extinction of Reaſon and Subverſion of Humanity. But the Deſign of Religion is to correct the Diſorders of natural Affections, to guide and help Them in their Exerciſes on proper Occaſions. Goſpel-Light is deſign'd to direct Us, and Goſpel-Grace to aſſiſt Us, in governing our Paſſions to their reſpective Ends and adjuſting them to their various moving Cauſes. Religion then does not forbid, but only moderates ana regulates, our Sorrow under bereaving Diſpenſations. We may lawfully give Vent and Eaſe to our diſquieted Minds in penſive Groans and Complaints, and let out Grief operate and expreſs it ſelf in all natural and decent Ways —. Yea, This is what lies as a Duty upon Us, to order our ininward p. 11Frame and outward Behaviour according to our Condition, in Compliance with the Methods of Providence and from a Reverence to the holy Hand of GOD. We are to regard the Work of the LORD, and to conſider His Operation in all that befals Us; and ſhou'd ſtudy to comport with the Deſign and anſwer the Call of every Diſpenſation. Accordingly under Bereavements We are call'd to Weeping and Mourning; and GOD approves and expects, that We feel the ſtroke, that We be inwardly affected, and breath out our Grief in all the humble Expreſſions hereof: This is intimated in that Obſervation of the Wiſe Man, Eccl. 7.2. It is better to go to the houſe of Mourning, [ſo He calls the Houſe where Death comes] than to the Houſe of Feaſting: for that it the End of all Men, and the Living [if They are wiſe and godly] will lay it to Heart. And ſo in that Caution of the Apoſtle, 1 Theſ. 4.13. I wou'd not have You to be ignorant, Brethren, concerning Them which are aſleep, that Ye ſorrow not, even as others which have no Hope.— He allows the Sorrow; but checks the exceſſive Degree, and reproves perhaps alſo ſome unſeemly Ways of expreſſing It.

IV. GOD is highly diſpleas'd at a ſinful Stupidity under ſuch a mournful Bereavement: and to indulge This is truely a Symptom of wretched Hardneſs, and Abjectneſs of Mind. If we are not ſenſible of Judgments and do not reſent the Diſpleaſure of GOD in them, it is an awful Sign of carnal Security, and a daring Affront to the Divine Providence. There are many heavy Complaints on Record againſt the obdurate Jews of old upon this Account. Thus we read, Iſai. 42.25. He hath poured upon Jacob the fury of His Anger; and it hath ſet Him on fire round about, yet He knew it not; and it burned Him, yet He laid it not to Heart. So in Jer. 5.3. O Lord, Thou haſt ſtricken Them, but They have not grieved; They have refuſed to receive Correction; They have made their Faces harder. than a Rock. And in the next Verſe He calls this Carriage Madneſs; I ſaid, Surely Theſe are fooliſh; for they Know not the way of the Lord; They conſider not the Judgment of GOD. And the Wiſe Man enters a Caveat againſt this Folly, Prov. 3.11. My ſon, Deſpiſe not the Chaſtening of the Lord.

TO be ſtupidly blind and not ſee the Hand of GOD ſmiting Us, or to be wilfully indolent and not feel the Weight and Smart of thoſe Blows we receive, loudly proclaims our want of a Chriſtian Temper of Soul, and ſadly evidences the Hardneſs of our Hearts and Atheiſm of our Minds. "Indolence under the Effects of GDD's Anger is (as One ſpeaks) like the ſtilneſs of the dead Sea, whoſe Calm is a Curſe" —. To be reſolvedly inſenſible and inconſiderate under Afflictions is to harden our ſelves againſt Diſcipline, and ſet GOD's Judgments at Defiance. It is to ſtrengthen our ſelves againſt the Almighty. It is a profane Neglect & Contempt of the Divine Wrath. And hence muſt needs offer very great Provocation to GOD. Nothing more exaſperates, than a ſlight of one's Diſpleaſure. To make light of the Wrath of GOD, is moſt certainly very incenſing to Him. — It is therefore prodigious Folly and Sin to be unaffected with GOD's Frown in the Death of near and dear p. 13Relations, and particularly of our valuable Parents. Some in this Caſe ſhift off all troubleſome Impreſſions by flying to remaining temporal Comforts; or by an abuſive Applying the Conſideration of Death's being the End of all Men, looking on It as a neceſſary Event, a Thing of Courſe, and common to every One, as what cou'd not be avoided, and for which there is no Remedy: and therefore It muſt be endur'd; Grief will be no Cure —. In ſome ſuch Ways as theſe, Many ſeek Relief, and bear up Themſelves by theſe Methods under the Loſs of Their Parents, and other Relatives; without any View to the Hand of GOD or Senſe of His Anger out againſt Them.— But ſurely to be thus caſeleſs under Divine Rebukes, upon any Grounds whatſoever, diſcovers great Vanity of Mind, and a ſecret Infidelity in the Heart. Where a Principle of Grace is in it's due Operation, It will influence the Underſtanding to conſider the Tokens of GOD's Diſpleaſure, and will ſoften the Heart, & cauſe a very tender and permanent Feeling of Them. Inſenſibility under the ſtrokes of GOD's Hand is not religious Conſtancy & Fortitude, but a wicked and fooliſh Stupidity. It argues a very unhappy State of Soul; and offers a very heinous Indignity to Divine Providence.

V. SOMETIMES the Death of a pious Mother leads the Way and opens the Door to many other Evils: be-ſure carnal Security under ſuch a ſtroke of GOD lays open to more heavy Judgments. Sometimes ſuch a Bereavement is the Fore-runner of great Evils. The Righteous is taken away from the Evil to come.

p. 14AN Increaſe of moral Evil is often conſequent on ſuch a Providence. At the Gap, which the Death of a wiſe and good Mother makes, does many times enter in a Torrent of Impieties and Vices. It is very grievous to think, what Ungodlineſs, what Unrighteouſneſs, what Contention, what Intemperance, and other fooliſh Luſts, have found their Way into Families, after the Removal of the pious Mother; whoſe grave Preſence, and prudent Counſels, and Reproofs, together with Her holy Example, had kept a Check on the vicious Diſpoſitions of the Children, and Others, while She was alive: but being now free from this Reſtraint, They give Themſelves a Looſe and Indulgence in Sin. Yea what a ſenſible Decay of Religion, and Growth of Wickedneſs hath there been ſometimes among the Body of a People in a Town upon the Death of a Number of the godly Mothers therein; who have ſo conſiderable an Influence in Family-Religion, which is neceſſary to Public Order! It is too notorious, that ſometimes a deplorable Change ſoon appears in the riſing Poſterity, when the gracious Mother is taken from Their Head: A degenerate Seed riſes up; and when it is thus with any Number of Families in a Place, the old Proverb is often verifyed, A little Leaven leaveneth the whole Lump. —

MOREOVER, the Death of ſuch is often the Fore-runner of afflictive Judgments. The Removal of the pious Mother makes way for penal Evils to come in upon the Family. There are Deaths perhaps to be multiply'd, or other Calamities to be inflicted; and from a tender Reſpect to this gracious Woman, GOD does gather p. 15Her (as He did Joſiah,) to Her Grave in Peace, that Her Eyes may not ſee, and Her Heart be griev'd at the Evil to be brought on Her Children and Relations: And that He may not be put to deny the Requeſts of this fervent Interceſſor on their Behalf—. This pretious One muſt be ſafely lodg'd in Heaven, out of the Reach of all Griefs and Sufferings, before the deſtroying Angel has Commiſſion to execute Judgments on Her Poſterity. The Jewels are ſecur'd, before the Rubbiſh is conſumed. The Wheat is hous'd, when a Storm is riſing: and then the Doves flock to the Windows.

IT looks ominous to the Family, when the pious praying Mother is taken away, who was One that ſtood in the Breach to turn away Wrath. The Death of ſuch an One leaves the ſurviving Mourners under an ill Preſage: and the Cry of the Deceas'd unto Them is that, in Luk. 23.28. (Sons,) Daughters, Weep not for me, but weep for your ſelves —. Weep and howl for your Miſeries that are coming upon you.

BUT a ſupine and ſtubborn Apathy and Incorrigibleneſs, when under the Frown of Providence in the Removal of ſo great a Bleſſing, does for certain expoſe to & forebode ſtill further Evils. Cold and carnal Security under this Judgment defeats the good Ends of It, and renders it altogether unprofitable to Us. And not only ſo, but it lays us open to yet more terrible Rebukes. If We will walk contrary to GOD, He alſo will walk contrary to Us, and puniſh us ſtill ſeven Times more, (Lev. 26.23, 4,) He has many other ways to afflict us. And if we are unaffected with one Judgment, He p. 16will proceed to another. Verily, None ever harden'd Themſelves againſt GOD, and proſper'd He will multiply aggravated Miſchiefs on careleſs unſubdued Sinners. With the obſtinate, He will ſhew Himſelf obſtinate. He will add to Their Yoke; and if They feel not the Whip, He will chaſtiſe Them with Scorpions. If more gentle Stripes are deſpis'd, ſometimes cutting Blows are given, 'till utter Deſtruction comes. But ſuppoſing there be a Reprieve from Temporal Ruin, yet moſt certainly there is an Everlaſting Perdition, to which irreclamable Sinners are reſerv'd, in the coming World.

TO be unhumbled then under ſuch a bereaving Diſpenſation, and impenitently to diſregard the Hand of GOD, is an ill Omen of more heavy Judgments approaching. Let this Thought ſerve to deter Us from ſuch Guilt and Folly; that there may be no Occaſion for renewing the Complaint, in Iſai. 57.1. The Righteous periſheth and no man layeth it to heart, and godly ones are taken away, None conſidering, that the Righteous is taken away from the Evil to come.

VI. TO mourn ſuch a Death has a Tendency to our ſpiritual Benefit, as it aſſiſts our right Improvement of it. It will be profitable, not only to tolerate, but to excite and ſtrengthen a mournful Senſe of our Affliction; not only to admit, but to enforce the Impreſſions of Sorrow upon this Occaſion. Solomon obſerves, that by the ſadneſs of the Countenance the Heart is made better; and therefore the Heart of the Wiſe is in the Houſe of Mourning. On ſuch an Occaſion, the Wiſdom that is from above will diſpoſe and engage our Hearts to mournful Affections, and a religious p. 17Improvement of the ſorrowful Providence: And by this means, The Affliction may turn to our great Advantage. That which in it ſelf is ſo grievous an Evil, may be made inſtrumental of the moſt bleſſed Effects, by the Grace of GOD. Out of the Eater may come forth Meat; and Honey be ſuck'd out of the Wormwood.

IF we lay to heart the Bereavement, Our Minds will more attentively regard the holy Leſſons to be learnt from ſuch a Diſpenſation, and more eaſily receive Religious Impreſſions. Our Hearts muſt be ſubdued and melted in order to the good Purpoſes of Divine Grace. And when They are tender and ſoften'd under Troubles, We are in a greater Diſpoſedneſs to be wrought upon by the ſanctifying Spirit. Worldly Sorrow tends to godly Sorrow: for when the Spirit is tam'd and ſober'd, and reduced to a conſidering Frame, It will more readily obſerve and reſent the moral Cauſe of Afflictions, which is Sin —. And the mournful Senſe of our Trouble will have a happy Tendency to wean Us from Creature-Comforts, conſidering the uncertainty of Them. — And to promote our Acquaintance with GOD, and Deſires of His Favour, the good Part which can never be taken away. — It will alſo help to fix on our Minds a becoming Gravity, and check the Vanity We are ſo incident to. It will tend to put us on ſerious Work, and ſtir us up to Duty; to awaken our Activity in preparing for our own Death, and finiſhing the great Buſineſs, of Life. In a word, A true gracious Mourning pulls out the ſting of the Affliction, and turns the Curſe into a Bleſſing, the Croſs into a Comfort.

THIS is the Benefit of laying to heart the Death p. 18of near and dear Relatives, and this Conſideration ſhould induce Us to entertain & cheriſh a penſive ſenſe of our Affliction in the Deceaſe of a godly Mother.

VII. WE ſhou'd be influenced hereto from a Principle of Honour, and Love to our deceaſed Parent. A gracious Mother in Iſrael, is an honourable Character. The Scriptures do every where put abundant Honour upon theſe Handmaids of the Lord, and peculiar were the Regards ſhown to ſuch by our bleſſed Saviour in the Days of His Fleſh††See Mr. Colman's, Duty and Honour of Aged Women, p. 5, 6.. Their name in Iſrael is that, Highly favour'd, and bleſſed among Women! The devout Mother is worthy therefore of a Singular Reſpect from Men, eſpecially from Her own Children. The Fifth Commandment requires Us to honour our Mother, well as Father. And a ſolemn mourning Her Death is one very fit and decent Expreſſion of our Reverence to Her. A Tribute of Tears at our Loſs of Her is a very juſt piece of Homage to her Worth, & a proper Inſtance of Filial Piety, due by all the Laws of Juſtice & Gratitude. To refuſe Her this mark of Honour, infers a reproachful Imputation, and is the moſt unpardonable Baſeneſs, and Slight upon Her. To part with Her as if We ſuffer'd nothing by our Loſs, and were as happy without Her, as with Her, implys a very diſhonourable Reflection, and is great Injuſtice to Her Merits. To die unlamented is ſometimes denounced as a Curſe; Jer. 22.18. And the contrary promiſed as an Honour; Jer. 34.5.

p. 19AND to mourn Her Death is an agreeable Teſtimony of our Love to Her, as well as Honour for Her. A pious Mother ought to have a deep ſhare in our Affections; and We ſhould teſtify our Love in all the proper Expreſſions of it. A ſuitable laying to Heart and lamenting Her Death, is none of the leaſt Tokens of filial Affection; and therefore is what we are oblig'd to. Innumerable have been the Proofs of Her Love to Us, Her tender Cares and endearing Labours for Us from the Womb; and ſuch as truly are beyond our Retaliation. And it may be, when We ſeriouſly reflect, our own Hearts reproach Us for many Omiſſions of filial Duty in Her Life-time, and that We have not given ſuch Proofs of our Love to Her, Care of Her, and Delight in Her, as were due from Us. We ſhou'd therefore now endeavour to repair former Defects by this laſt and ſolemn Inſtance of Love and Reſpect. Let Her die lamented, to ſhew that ſhe liv'd deſir'd, Let Her Death be a Grief to Us, to ſhow that Her Life was a Joy to Us. We ſhou'd account our good Mothers worthy of this double Honour; and are inexcuſable, if We do not pay it Them.

VIII. WE have Scripture-Example to argue for this mourning the Death of our gracious Mothers. I ſhall mention only one Inſtance; and that is Iſaac mourning for his Mother Sarah. This is intimated in Gen. 24.67. Iſaac brought Her into his Mother Sarah's Tent, and took Rebekah and ſhe became his Wife; and He loved Her: And Iſaac was comforted after his Mother's Death. Sarah had been dead now about Three Years: Yet the ſorrowful ſenſe of Her Death was not worn p. 20off till now. It continued till the Comfort of a new and nearer Relation was brought in to ballance it. Truly an affectionate and dutiful Son was Iſaac to His Mother while living, and an hearty Mourner for Her when dead.

NOW this was written for our Enſample and Admonition.

AND thus I have ſhown, That it is lawful and proper, yea a Duty to mourn the Loſs of a dear and gracious Mother. I have been longer on this Point than I deſign'd, and it may be alſo than there was need, eſpecially in the preſent Caſe. Tho' many times, I muſt confeſs, there ſeems to be too much neceſſity for the preſſing and inculcating this Duty on the careleſs Poſterity of ſome Pious Women, upon the like occaſion. Indeed Children's Love and Regard to their Parents living or dead, commonly needs a Spur, tho' the Parents too often need a Curb.

BUT now being convinced of the Duty; our Concern is to know, How we may diſcharge it aright. I ſhall therefore briefly hint at one or two neceſſary Qualifications of this Mourning.

I. IT muſt be well-grounded, and flow from Religious Principles.

I might in the firſt Place have ſaid, It muſt be a Real and ſolid Grief; not an airy Pretence and affected Shew. It muſt be inward, and not lie merely in Words and Actions. The Heart must be full; Impreſſions within agreeable to Expreſſions without. But this is not all: It muſt be a Religious Grief; Voluntary and Choſen, Intelligent and Rational, Pious and Devout; It muſt be a gracious Paſſion, rais'd upon ſpiritual Principles and Views.

p. 21FAITH in the Providence of GOD muſt lie in the Foundation of this ſorrow. In the Mourning our Loſs, there muſt be a Reſpect to the original efficient Cauſe, and an acknowlegement of the Divine Dominion over Us and all our Enjoyments. We muſt ſee the Providence of GOD in the Bereavement; and it muſt be very humbling to Us, to conſider the Hand that ſmites us.

THERE muſt be the Fear of GOD in Exerciſe, and a Senſe of His Diſpleaſure, ſitting heavy upon Us. An Apprehenſion of the Frown and Rebuke of Divide Providence in the Affliction, ſhould move the inward Springs of Paſſion, and more ſenſibly affect Us than the outward Trouble however ſevere and piercing. And the Conſideration of our Guilt and Demerits ſhould yet more deeply affect our Hearts, ſharpen our Reſentments and fill Us with Bitterneſs of Soul. Sin, the deſerving Cauſe of our Affliction, muſt ſting our Breaſts and tear our Bowels.

AND further, Our Grief muſt be animated by a Principle of Love to GOD, The Reaſon of our Mourning muſt not be ſo much the Loſs of a mere Creature-comfort, as that We are depriv'd of a Bleſſing, in which We ſaw and enjoy'd much of GOD. We muſt lament after GOD, who in the Removal of pious and uſeful Perſons, ſo far withdraws Himſelf, & calls home His Spirit. This Tho't muſt give a peculiar Accent to our Lamentations, that a Godly Perſon is ceaſed, who had much of the Preſence of GOD with Her, and was a rich Bleſſing to Us on Spiritual Accounts; and by whoſe Death ſo much of our Defenſe & Glory is departed, and ſo much of our Spiritual Stock of Gifts and Graces, p. 22Prayers and Services gone; that one Token of the Divine Preſence is taken away, and one Stream from the Fountain of living Waters dried up, which was a Refreſhment and a Furtherance to Us in the Way of Life. — This is to mourn after GOD, and according to GOD, when mourning under Bereavements. — Thus Love to GOD, muſt be the Root of our Sorrow.

AGAIN, There muſt be a Spirit of Obedience acting of Us. Our Mourning muſt be from Conſcience of Duty, & in Submiſſion to GOD's Authority, who expects and demands This of Us. Our mourning the Death of a gracious Parent ſhould be in Obedience to the 5th Command, which (as hath been obſerv'd) requires Us to pay this our laſt ſolemn Reſpect & Duty to our Father & Mother. It muſt alſo be with ſincere Aims at the Glory of GOD, (which our Chriſtian Mourning under ſuch a frowning Providence hath various ways an Aſpect upon) and not merely in Compliance with the Impulſes of Nature, or with the decent Uſage of the World.

THUS We muſt be influenced by Spiritual Principles and Motives in our Lamenting the Death of a pious Mother. Elſe tho' natural Affection may work a little, It is but as the Groaning & Howling of the Beaſts that have no Underſtanding. Our Grief is but a carnal, abſurd and inſignificant Paſſion; and profiteth us nothing. And indeed unleſs We are moved by ſuch Religious Principles, it will be exceeding difficult, if not impoſſible, to govern our Sorrow aright; which is another Thing incumbent on Us. Wherefore,

2. OUR Mourning muſt be well regulated; and that both as to the Degree and the Duration.

p. 23AS to the Degree; This muſt be proportionable to the occasion; a great Lamentation, anſwerable to the Greatneſs of the Loſs: Our Sorrow in the preſent Caſe (the Death of a wiſe, good and excellent Mother) muſt be very deep and pungent. This is a juſt Debt of Honour to the Memory of the Dead, whoſe Relation to Us was ſuperior and nearer than moſt, and a due Reverence to the Hand of GOD, the Blow whereof now comes nigher to Us, and lies heavier upon Us, than in moſt other Caſes. This is intimated in the the Text, I bowed heavily, as one that mourneth for his Mother. And yet We muſt carefully watch againſt Exceſs, and all the Signs of it, as Rage, Deſpair, Neglect of Duty, Ingratitude for Mercies continued, and the like.

OUR Sorrow is inordinate, when it exceeds the juſt Merits of the Cauſe; ſo when our private Grief excludes the ſenſe of Public Calamitys; when it cauſes a Brutiſh Oblivion of former Mercies and a baſe Contempt of preſent Enjoyments; when it unfits Us for, diverts Us from, or diſtracts Us in the Duties of our Civil or Chriſtian Calling; when it breaks our Health, and our Spirits ſink under oppreſſive Heavineſs; when we voluntarily amplify and aggravate our Affliction, give Way to and delight in Melancholy, and fooliſhly cheriſh our diſconſolate Frames by one unhappy Method and another, refuſe to be comforted, and are deaf to ſuch Conſiderations as tend to ſuppreſs or allay our Sorrow: When We ſuffer our Grief to degenerate into ſullen Diſcontent, impatient Frowardneſs, or angry Murmur againſt Divine Providence; and break out into extravagant Speeches p. 24or turbulent Actions. When it is thus with Us; onr Sorrow is exorbitant, and ſwells beyond it's proper Banks, And ſuch intemperate Grief in all the Signs and Expreſſions of it, is to be moſt heedfully guarded againſt, let the Bereavement We are under be attended with never ſuch wounding Aggravations. Surely it is meet to be ſaid unto GOD, I have borne Chaſtiſement; I will bear the Indignation of the Lord; and truly, it is good for a Man, that He patiently and ſubmiſſively bear the Yoke in His Youth. We muſt take heed, that we do not fret and fume and fling as the Wild Bull in a Net, or be untractable as the wild Aſs which is uſed to the Wilderneſs. We muſt not Roar like Bears (as the Prophet ſpeaks) but Mourn ſore like Doves, with a humble and quiet Spirit. There muſt be a Chriſtian Calm in the Mind, and quiet Reſignation to the Will of GOD; as becomes thoſe who believe His Sovereignty, Wiſdom, Goodneſs an Faithfulneſs to His Promiſes; and as becomes thoſe who are not as others, without Hope. We muſt not mourn as blind and ignorant Heathen, who were Strangers to the Faith and Hope of the Goſpel, for ſuch as die in the Lord. We muſt calm our ruffled Paſſions, and eaſe our oppreſſed Minds by conſidering the Deſigns of Providence, and the Encouragements of the Goſpel. Concerning them who ſleep in Jeſus, We believe that they are remov'd from us to their unſpeakable Gain, receiv'd to Glory, tranſlated to a better Country, even an Heavenly. And concerning our ſelves, We have Hope, that GOD will ſanctify their Death unto Us for Spiritual Profit, and repair the Loſs with unperiſhable Bleſſings in Chriſt Jeſus; and p. 25there is Hope, if We are Followers of Them who thro' Faith and Patience inherit the Promiſes, that We ſhall with ſongs of Joy meet them in Heaven again, never (never) to part more.— And now with theſe Hopes We ſhou'd temper our Grief, moderate our ſwelling Paſſions, and bank up our flowing Tears, at the Deceaſe of our wiſe and holy and excellent Parents.— Thus as to the Meaſure, our Grief muſt be under the Reſtraints of Reaſon and Grace.

SO as to the Duration. Our Grief muſt neither be of too ſhort, nor of too long a Continuance. On the preſent extraordinary Occaſion, before it muſt not be a tranſient Pang of ſorrow: but there muſt be a laſting Impreſſion of ſuch a Providence. We muſt not ſoon forget our Affliction and let our ſorrowful Reſentments quickly cool and die away. Iſaac's Grief for His Mother's Death was not worn off of a long Time, as was obſerved before. — Nevertheleſs, It muſt not (neither) be an obſtinate Courſe of reſtleſs Melancholy, as if the Loſs were invaluable and irreparable. No; this reſolved, fixed, Grief can't be reconcil'd with Chriſtian Submiſſion, and therefore is not to be indulged. Tho' it is lawful and prudent to let Nature have it's genuine Operation, and breath out it's Grief with freedom; yet ſanctify'd Reaſon muſt ſet the Bounds both as to Degree & Duration. The Wiſdom that is from above muſt limit the Time of our Funeral-ſorrows, by regarding the Rules of Duty and Decency.

AND thus I have ſhown, How & Why We are to mourn the Death of a gracious Mother.

BUT are We only to mourn and weep? Will p. 26Tears for the Loſs ſuffice? Nay; but our Mourning muſt be accompany'd with & occaſional of various other Duties & religious Exerciſes, Diſpoſitions, and Reſolutions; which I ſhall mention, and ſo conclude.

THUS, Under this ſorrowful Bereavement, We muſt be ſtrict and ſerious in Self-Examination, with reference to our Conduct in the Relation of Children to the Deceaſed. We muſt examine our ſelves and try our Ways, with Diligence and Impartiality. And if We find in any Inſtances or Degrees We have approved our ſelves dutiful & obedient Children, and have been a Comfort and not a Grief and Heavineſs to our Mother, then We ſhou'd rejoyce with thankful Praiſes to GOD; unto whoſe Grace We muſt aſcribe all that hath been commendable and praiſe-worthy in Us.—And on the other hand, Whatſoever has been amiſs (as no doubt there has firſt or laſt been much ſo,) We muſt repent hereof with Shame and Grief of Heart. If We have err'd, in an inordinate Love to, Delight in, and Dependence on our deceaſed Parent, while with Us; or if We have ſlighted Her, been diſobedient to Her, under-valu'd the Mercy of GOD to Us in Her, and not ſought the Good by Her that was to be gotten, We muſt lay it to Heart now We are mourning Her Deceaſe▪ We muſt humble our ſelves before GOD for all the Follys and Failings of every Kind, which we ſtand chargeable with.

I will here take Leave to tranſcribe a Paſſage to my Purpoſe, out of an excellent Author, which has occurr'd to me ſince the Delivering my Sermon: Children ſhould conſider upon the Death of Holy Parents, in what Inſtances They failed of p. 27hearkning to their Counſels, and following Their Inſtructions, Admonitions and Examples; of paying that Honour, Reverence, Duty and Obedience which GOD Commands. They ſhould then remember, conſider, and mourn to think how often their Miſcarriages againſt GOD, and Them, were a Grief and Burden to their Souls, and made them walk ſoftly: They ſhou'd recall the Vanity of Their Childhood, and review the Stubbornneſs, and Frowardneſs, and Intractableneſs of their Youth; and the many particular Provocations They were guilty of while Their Parents lived; againſt their frequent Reproofs, againſt the Cry of Their Prayers, and the meaning of their Tears, againſt Their many Warnings and compaſſionate Calls to Repentance, againſt all the Methods GOD uſed to awaken, humble and reform Them: Is not This the Voice of ſuch a Rod to many Children, when their godly Parents are taken away by Death**See Mr. Shower's Mourners Companion, Part 1. pag 164.?

WE ſhould hear the Voice of GOD, and ſtudy to anſwer His Call in the preſent Viſitation, by ſincerely Repenting of all our Miſdemeanours, in the Character of Children. We muſt Sorrow to Repentance; this is to be ſorry after a godly manner, as is hinted, 2 Cor. 7.9. We muſt purſue one Grief with another, Natural with Spiritual. This is a Diverſion of our Reſentments to the right Object. When We turn the Current of our Grief, upon Sin, (from the Effect to the Cauſe) then our Tears run in their proper Channel. The Sorrow of this World, worketh Death; but Godly Sorrow worketh Repentance unto Life. As, when a p. 28Man bleeds dangerouſly in one place, then, to open a Vein elſewhere, turns the Courſe, and prevents the fatal Conſequence.

THUS our Sorrow for the Bereavement, muſt be follow'd with Sorrow for our Sins, which have provoked GOD to contend with Us by ſo awful and awakening a Providence. And with Repentance toward GOD, there muſt be Faith towards our Lord JESUS CHRIST, whereby We rely on Him for the Remiſſion of our Sins thro' His Blood.

AGAIN, We ſhou'd remember and give GOD the Glory of all that was excellent and valuable in our deceaſed Parent. Her Infirmities (the few ſhe might have) which are put off with Mortality, We muſt cover in Silence, & bury in Oblivion; but Her Excellencys, that were many and which are perfected in the Glory of GOD. We muſt call to Mind, admire, and ſpeak of. This is a very natural & fitting Concomitant of our Mourning, and a due Tribute of Honour to Her Memory, as well as a juſt Regard to the Honour of Divine Grace, by which She was what She was, and which ought this way to be magnified. Let GOD then have the Glory of thoſe ſhining Graces & Gifts that adorn'd Her. Let Her Children riſe up and call Her bleſſed; Let Them ſpeak aloud Her due Praiſes: Let Them ſpeak often to one another, and on proper Occaſions to Others; Let them tell how She liv'd, and ſay how She dy'd. Let Them ſay what an exact, thorow, univerſal Chriſtian She was; what a loving & obſequious Wife; what a careful, wiſe and tender Parent; what an affectionate and reſpectful Siſter▪ what a diſcreet and condeſcending Miſtreſs; what a true and conſtant Friend; what a courteous, benevolent p. 29and obliging Neighbour, &c. In a word, we muſt endeavour modeſtly to ſet forth all the various Parts of Her bright and juſt Character; which made Her Perſon ſo lovely & venerable to Us while She liv'd, & will render Her Memory ever pretious and delightful to Us, now She's gone: And which in her Life-time She deſir'd (in great Humility) might be hid (as much as poſſible) from the View and Obſervation of the World; not deſiring (nor able to bear with) the Praiſe of Men: but now She is out of Hearing, 'tis nothing leſs than Decency and Duty in Her Children to ſtand up and tell of Her good Deeds, and relate Her Virtues; and never to mention Her Name, but with the utmoſt Reſpect and Honour. A laudable Thing it is in the Children of ſuch an excellent Parent, to ſet Themſelves to ſhew forth Her deſerved Praiſes: 'tis a good and pleaſant Work, which We ſhou'd always be ready to Riſe up and engage in ††See Mr. Colman's Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Hirſt, from Prov. 31.28. pag 9, 16.Prov 31:28. It is a work We are much advantag'd for, being ſo well acquainted with Her worth; and are much oblig'd to, being ſo greatly indebted to Her (under GOD) for our Being and Education. And it is made a part of the Elogium given the virtuous Woman, that She has Children who riſe up and call Her Bleſſed. 'Tis none of the leaſt of Her Honours, that She is praiſed by thoſe who have had ſuch peculiar opportunities to know fully Her manner of Life, and moſt retir'd Carriage; from whom She moſt highly deſerv'd; and whoſe Praiſes (if any at all) She wou'd chiefly covet. Give Her then of the p. 30Fruit of Her hands, let Her reap the Honours She has ſo dearly earn'd; and let Her own Works (Her virtuous Children, who are in a great meaſure Her Work in the Lord) praiſe Her in the Gates **See Mr. M Henry's Sermon on the Death of his Mother, alſo from Prov. 31.28 pag 8.Prov 31:28.

FURTHER, We muſt recollect and thankfully acknowlege to GOD the many Favours and Bleſſings He has Diſpenſed to Us in and by our deceaſed Parent. A wiſe and good Mother is a ſingular Mercy; which does not fall to every ones ſhare. This is the Gift of GOD, a rich Gift and invaluable Privilege. Wherefore We ſhould praiſe GOD for the Riches of His Goodneſs, in the Diſpoſal of Us into this happy Relation. We ſhou'd bleſs GOD, that ever We had ſo excellent a Parent; that He did chuſe out ſuch a Perſon to bring Us into the World, and to bring Us up in the World; who was of ſo admirable a Temper, eaſy and ſoft, yet without Weakneſs; ſo prudent in Her Conduct towards Us, uſing Authority without Severity, being ſtrict without Ill-nature; ſo tenderly careful about, and watchful over Us; ſo early & conſtantly painful in Inſtructing and Educating of Us; ſo ſolemn in Her Charges upon Us to give up our ſelves to GOD; ſo fervent and unceaſing in Her Prayers for Us; even travailing in Birth of Us again until She cou'd ſee Chriſt formed in Us: ſo exemplary in Her Walk before Us; ſo aſſiſting to Us in our Walk with GOD; being always a prudent Counſillor and faithful Monitor to Us, exciting Us to Duty, reproving Us for Sin, warning Us againſt Temptations, directing Us in Difficulties, encouraging Us under Doubts and Fears, comforting Us p. 31under Troubles and Afflictions, and confirming Us in the Way of Truth. Theſe, and many other good Offices of Her's from our Birth, We have to remember, and ought to acknowlege with the moſt grateful Senſe of Divine Goodneſs to Us herein. Every Relative is to Us all that and only that, which GOD makes the ſame to be. We ought then to bleſs GOD that We have had ſo great a Bleſſing in a Mother; And We muſt be very thankful that We enjoy'd her ſo long; A Privilege which not a few in the World are deny'd. What poor ſhifts had We made in our Minority, if We had not had a good Mother to comfort Us? ‖‖Dr. C. Mather's Maternal Conſolations; a Sermon on the Death of His Mother, from, Iſa. 66.13. pag. 10.Isa 66:13. If She had not been continued to Us, until our Arrival to Maturity, How many Bleſſings and Comforts had We miſs'd of? How many Diſadvantages had We met with? We ſhould be thankful then that She was ſpar'd to Us ſo long.

AND further, We ſhou'd obſerve and reſent the various Mercys mix'd with the Judgment. We ſhou'd take a thankful Notice of what Comforts remain to Us. Have We our honoured Father ſtill living, or kind Parents in Law, or tender Conſorts, or loving Brothers & Siſters, and other Relatives and Friends continued to Us? We ſhou'd be thankful herefor. It is of the Mercy of GOD, that We are not left altogether Solitary and Deſolate. And then the Comfort We had in the Manner and Circumſtances of our late Parent's Death, ſhou'd be obſerved with Gratitude. Thus had We by reaſon of Her previous Illneſs and Languiſhment, a weaning Time, & ſpace for preparing to meet GOD p. 32in the Way of Judgment? Had She opportunity and aſſiſtance to glorify GOD by extraordinary Acts of Faith, and an inviolable Patience, and Submiſſion to the Divine Will on her Death-bed; by a lively exerciſing and expreſſing Her Love to, and Delight in GOD. Her Truſt in Chriſt, Her Repentance for Sin, Her Gratitude for Mercys, Her Contempt of the World, Her Deſire and Hope of Eternal Life; and by leaving Her Teſtimony for the Excellency, Sweetneſs and Benefit of a Holy Walk and Communion with GOD, (upon long Experience even from a Child,) Was this the Caſe? Truly it is a very comfortable Reflection, and juſt matter of Thanksgiving. But it is yet more comfortable; if We had Opportunity to be preſent with Her in Her Sickneſs and latter Moments; to ſee the End of the Lord; to behold the Trial of Her Faith, and Her Example of ſuffering Affliction; to ſee the happy Exit of Her good Converſation in Chriſt; Her Patience in waiting at the Door, and her Hope of entring within the Vail: to hear Her dying Prayers for Us, to receive Her dying Counſels to Us; and attend Her heavenly Diſcourſes, wherein out of the good Treaſure in Her Heart, She brought forth good things new and old. If We had Opportunity to be thus edified and comforted by Her on Her Sick-bed, This muſt needs be a very refreſhing Mixture in our bitter Cup, and beſpeaks very thankful Acknowlegements of the Divine Favour to Us.

AND now (I may add) Let Us gather up as many as We can of the wiſe Sayings and gracious Words that fell from Her Lips; the wholeſome … is, ſolemn Exhortations, and faithful Warnings p. 33She gave Us, as well in the Time of her Life, as at her Death: Let us often think them over, and endeavour to imprint Them in our Memories that they may not be loſt; and let us reſolve to act conformably to Them, leſt We mourn at the Laſt (when Her Words ſhall riſe up in Judgment againſt Us,) and ſay, How have I hated Inſtruction and deſpiſed to obey the Law of my Mother?

LET us alſo remember her Pious Example, (in which was given us a fair Copy of every Chriſtian Grace and Virtue,) and be Imitators of Her as dear Children. Let us ever keep her excelling Pattern in our Eye; and thoſe Things which We have both learned & receiv'd & heard from Her, and ſeen in Her, do; and the GOD of Peace ſhall be with Us. Diligent Imitation of Her will be the beſt Expreſſion of our Love to Her, and the trueſt and moſt ſignificant Commendation of Her. To tread in Her Steps, to tranſcribe Her Virtues, and exhibit the Image of Her Perfections in our own Lives, This will be to erect for Her the moſt honorary & laſting Monument; This will make Her Name to live, and preſerve Her Memory ever freſh to all that knew Her. And in this Way we ſhall (it may be) obtain the ſame good Report of all Men which She had, & as She has done, leave a ſweet Perfume on our Name at Death; and have the like happy Exit out of the World; & an equal Inheritance with Her in Glory; and perhaps in like manner leave of our Poſterity to be ſerving GOD on Earth while We ſhall be praiſing Him in Heaven. Let us reſolve then to be Followers of Her, even as ſhe alſo was of Chriſt. Let us ſtudy to reſemble Her in all the various Excellencies, which make up her comprehenſive p. 34Character; Aſpiring continually, if by any means We may riſe up to this admir'd Model, and not come behind in any Gift, in any Virtue, in any Praiſe. Let us walk in the ſame Spirit of Repentance toward GOD, and Faith toward our Lord JESUS CHRIST. Let us imitate Her ſolid, regular, and lively Devotion, Prayerfulneſs, and univerſal acquaintance with ſecret Religion; Her Reverence and Love to the Word & Ordinances, Sabbath & Servants of the LORD; Her godly Sincerity, holy Jealouſy, Tenderneſs of Heart, Mortification, and continual Circumſpection over her Self; Her Catholic Principles, and Communion with all Chriſtians who hold the Head; Her undiſguis'd Humility, unaffected Gravity, Modeſty, Reſerv'dneſs, Purity, Patience, Meekneſs, Peaceableneſs, Ingenuity, Candour, Charity, Prudence, Diligence in Buſineſs, Goodneſs and Fidelity in all Relations, Aequanimity in all Conditions, &c. In a word, Let us be engag'd by the happy Influence of Her Example to walk within our Houſes with a perfect Heart, to bring up our Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord, and look well to the ways of our Houſhold; to ſtudy Uſefulneſs in our reſpective Places, and ſerve our Generation according to the Will of GOD: and let us give Diligence herein ſo much the more, (abounding in Prayer for our ſelves, and ours, and others, and being fruitful in every good Work,) that we may contribute ſomething towards filling up the Breach, made by Her Removal, in the Family, Church, & World, that Her Abſence may be as little perceiv'd as poſſible.

LET us ſeek to have our Loſs made up in GOD. Let us be earneſt with GOD, the GOD of all Grace p. 35and Comfort in & thro' JESUS CHRIST, for all needful Support under, a ſanctify'd Improvement of and Advantage by ſo heavy a Stroke; Let it be our Hearts Deſire and Prayer that We may be made ſpiritual Gainers by our temporal Loſſes; that the Want of Creature-Comforts may prepare us for & be ſupply'd with Divine Enjoyments. Let this bereaving Providence quicken Us to remember our Creator in the Days of our Youth, to chuſe the Unchangeable JEHOVAH for our GOD & Head, our Guide & Portion. Let us make Him our Truſt from our Youth, that when Father as well as Mother leave Us, GOD may take Us up; who ever lives, tho' Parents & Relations are not ſuffer'd to continue by reaſon of Death; and whoſe Word is full of gracious Encouragements to the Poſterity of Believers. He has ſtiled Himſelf the Father of the Fatherleſs, & with Him the Motherleſs find Mercy. Let us then engage & animate our Selves in the Service of GOD, and Dependence upon Him, from the Conſideration of our pious Parentage, or Deſcent from ſuch as were ſo nearly related to & intereſted in the bleſſed GOD. And let us improve the Death of our dear & holy Parents to quicken ourſelves to place our Happineſs more in GOD, & invigorate our Love to & Delight in Him; to abſtract our Hearts from all Earthly Comforts; & turn our Deſires & Hopes toward the Heavenly Joys, which our glorify'd Parents are Partakers of in the Preſence of the Lamb. While (excited by the preſent Stroke) We are giving Diligence to do all that Duty towards our Surviving Relatives which is due, and to get all that Good by 'em which is poſſible, and are weaning our ſelves from them, & ſitting looſe in our Affections, under p. 36the ſenſe of Their Mortality & Ours; We ſhou'd be endeavouring to have our Converſation much in Heaven; ſhou'd ſeek the Favour & Preſence of GOD, and thirſt after Communion with Him more & more, which will abundantly compenſate for our Loſs; & ſhou'd in Faith & Love be holding ſome kind of Converſe with our dear departed Relatives, ‖‖See Mr … 's Mourner's Companion, 1ſt part, 194 pag.by meditating on Their admirable Perfections, & bleſſed Employments & Entertainments, in Their glorify'd State; by rejoycing in Their Advancement to Heaven, more by far than We ſhou'd have done for their temporal Preferment of any ſort or degree here on Earth: by daily preparing to follow Them; & often refreſhing our ſelves with the Hope of a joyful Meeting & eternal Abode with Them in another & better World; into which we ſhou'd be looking the more frequently & delightfully, becauſe of Thoſe that are gone before Us.—They are gone, & We are haſtning after Them, and We know not whoſe Turn it will be next. The Blow of GOD's Hand is come near Us, is awful to Us; and loudly calls upon Us in ſuch Language as that, (Mat. 24.44.) Be ye alſo ready: for in ſuch an Hour, as ye think not of, the Son of Man cometh. Our dear Parents being dead yet ſpeak: We may ſuppoſe Them ſpeaking to Us, their Children in ſuch words as thoſe in 1 Chron. 28.9. (which are King David's dying Charge to His Son Solomon, & with which moving Words I ſhall now ſhut up my Diſcourſe,) Know Thou the God of thy Father [& Mother,] and ſerve Him with a perfect Heart & a willing Mind: for the Lord ſearcheth all Hearts, and understandeth all the Imaginations of the Thoughts: if Thou ſeek Him He will be found of Thee; but if Thou forſake Him, He will caſt Thee off for Ever. AMEN.